Organisations from more than 30 countries in America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia have committed to accredit their facilities to Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR in the programme’s first weeks.
This accreditation establishes requirements to assist facilities with work practices, protocols, procedures, and systems to control risks associated with infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The programme was launched by GBAC, a division of worldwide cleaning industry association, ISSA.
Among the recently committed facilities are:
•Ashford Castle and Lodge, UK (Red Carnation Hotel Collection).
•The Shilla Hotel, South Korea (Samsung Group affiliate).
•Wings Hotel – Rotterdam the Hague Airport, the Netherlands.
•Leading hotels in Greece, Bali, France, Germany, India, Italy, Monaco, the Netherlands and more.
•Centerplate at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium (Atlético Madrid).
•The Staples Centre and Los Angeles Clippers NBA basketball team training facility, USA.
•Expo World Trade Centre, Mexico City.
•Toronto Congress Centre, Canada.
•Orange County Convention Center (Florida), New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre, and San Diego Convention Center, USA.
•Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, USA.
Patricia Olinger, GBAC Executive Director, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the international response that the GBAC STAR programme has received. With more and more organisations committing to follow the GBAC STAR framework, we can create a world that values cleanliness and implements it to the highest degree.”
GBAC STAR is designed for any size facility – including schools, offices, hotels, convention centres, airports, assisted care facilities, stadiums, and other public venues – to establish a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention.
Tourism bureaus and cities also are starting to join the programme to get multiple businesses in their community GBAC STAR accredited, to provide stronger assurance to residents and visitors.
Global industry organisations endorsing GBAC STAR include The Infection Prevention Strategy (TIPS), the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and its more than 195 members, and Freeman + Go LIVE Together, representing more than 4000 companies.
John Barrett, ISSA Executive Director, added: “Now is the time for businesses of every size to be transparent about the measures they’re taking to protect customers and employees, including proper cleaning and disinfection. GBAC STAR programme participants demonstrate their commitment to going the extra mile by implementing prevention and response best practices that support health and safety.”
